Impact of minimally invasive surgery on elderly patients

Authors

Keywords:

Minimally Invasive Surgery; Elderly Patient; Frailty; Enhanced Recovery After Surgery; ERAS

Abstract

Population aging presents new challenges to surgical services, where elderly patients represent a vulnerable group with a high frequency of comorbidities, frailty, and diminished functional reserve. Minimally invasive surgery has emerged as an alternative capable of modifying the traditional paradigm of surgical risk in this age group. This article analyzes the impact of these techniques on functional recovery, postoperative morbidity, and the autonomy of older adults, as well as the challenges in their implementation. It argues that, beyond the technical benefit, the true impact lies in the adoption of a comprehensive approach that combines minimally invasive access with multimodal rehabilitation strategies, individualized perioperative management, and shared decision-making. Evidence supports its use in selected populations, but barriers related to the learning curve, resource availability, and the need for validated frailty scales persist. It is concluded that minimally invasive surgery is a valuable tool for improving outcomes in older adults, provided it is applied within a person-centered care model and with sound clinical judgment.

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Published

2025-11-01

How to Cite

1.
Ruiz-Fuentes AS, Alberto-Martín M, Moreno-Betancourt D. Impact of minimally invasive surgery on elderly patients. MedEst [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 1 [cited 2026 Aug. 10];5:e478. Available from: https://revmedest.sld.cu/index.php/medest/article/view/478

Issue

Vol. 5 (2025): Continuous Publication

Section

OPINION ARTICLE

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Copyright (c) 2026 Adrián Silvio Ruiz-Fuentes , Meysel Alberto-Martín , Diosvany Moreno-Betancourt

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